Tribal woman to get feted for animal care training

RANCHI: Pashu Sakhi Balmadina Tirkey was a homemaker who chose animal care as her means of livelihood. Trained by her Sakhi Mandal to provide care to domestic animals and cattle, the tribal lady in her thirties is one among the 10 recipients of Jharkhand Samman 2018, to be awarded by the state government on November 15, on the occasion of 19th Statehood Day.
Tirkey, who trained hundreds of women from self-help groups (SHG) across the country on animal care, hails from Getalsud village in Ranchi's Angara block."When I got married, my husband earned around Rs 5,000 a month as a driver. After I gave birth to two children I decided to contribute my part in the finances of the family. I joined Juhi, a SHG in our village, where I received training as a Pashu Sakhi. Since then, I have spent the last six years treating animals and training women from all over Jharkhand and earning a respectable living," Tirkey said.
The struggles for the homemaker-turned-self-employed woman was long. "I received my training as a Pashu Sakhi in 2012, but back then it was difficult to convince villagers to get their goats and cattle vaccinated. I travelled from door to door every day educating cattle owners on the need for vaccination of livestock. Over the years the trend has changed. Today, people approach me on their own for vaccination of their animals. Apart from goats, I am proficient in primary care of hens, pigs, cows and buffaloes and I manage to earn around Rs 450 per day," she added.
Tirkey's hard work and exemplary zeal to overcome challenges has won the Ajeevika Pashu Sakhi a spot among the 10 'Jharkhand Samman' awardees this year. The para veterinary cadre is popular as 'doctor didi' in nearby areas, and also trains the members of SHGs from Bihar.
The list of other awardees for the prestigious Jharkhand Samman 2018 include sporting legends Nikki Pradhan and Madhumita Kumari, idol maker Amitabh Mukherjee, progressive farmer Birsa Munda, medico Dr Sureshwar Pandey, tribal language expert Giridhari Ram Gonjhu, musician duo, Mor Mukut Kedia and Manoj Kedia and groups like Gumla Gramin Poultry Samiti, Prejha Foundation.